Business Trip

In this new episode of Business Trip, we interview one of the first clinics to offer a protocol that includes TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and ketamine infusion.

TMS is a non-invasive procedure that sends electric currents to specific regions in the brain, including areas linked to depression. It's FDA approved and has been gaining adoption as clinical studies demonstrate safety and efficacy in treating mood disorders.

So why the combination? TMS takes a local approach while ketamine stimulates global brain communication, according to Scenic City Neurotherapy founder Charles Miller. There's little data about the combination of TMS with ketamine, making this conversation quite interesting as Miller shares the protocol, science, costs, and treatment outcomes.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love

Additional Music:
Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In this week's episode, we chat with Christian Angermayer. Christian co-founded atai Life Sciences and was an early investor in Compass Pathways -- two of the first companies commercializing psychedelic medicine. Christian also launched a fund dedicated to mental and neurological health called re:Mind, is an investor through his family office Apeiron, and co-founded two longevity biotech companies.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love

Additional Music:
Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In this week’s episode, we chat with Melissa Stangl, co-founder of Soltara Healing Center. Soltara is an ayahuasca retreat center whose ceremonies are lead by Shipibo healers, with locations in Peru and Costa Rica. The Shipibo people are from the Peruvian Amazon and are part of a tradition that has been drinking Ayahuasca for healing and spiritual purposes for thousands of years. In their ceremonies, the Shipibo serve ayahuasca and sing songs, called Icaros, which guide the healing process and journey.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love

Additional Music:
Distant Daze by Zack Frank

This is final episode in our 3-part series on microdosing that explores the science, history, and clinical applications. 

In this episode, we discuss the path to FDA approval for microdosing. We chat with the chief medical officers from Diamond Therapeutics and MindMed about their microdosing clinical programs. Diamond's program uses synthetic psilocybin and is focused on anxiety disorders. Meanwhile, MindMed is focused using low doses of LSD to treat adult ADHD.  Our guests are Dr. Michael McDonnell (Diamond Therapeutics) and Dr. Dan Karlin (MindMed).

In case you missed it: In part 1, we interviewed psychedelic researcher James Fadiman about the fundamentals of microdosing. In part 2, we discuss placebo effect and the results of a self-blinded placebo-controlled study with Balázs Szigeti from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London.

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice and is for information and educational purposes only.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love

Additional Music:
Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

In this 3-part series on microdosing, we explore the science, history, and its clinical potential. 

The anecdotal benefits of microdosing include better mood, creativity, and increased focus. But there are still many unanswered questions that remain. What is an effective dosing protocol? Is it safe in long term use? Does it even work or is it a placebo effect?

In part 1, we chat with James Fadiman, Ph.D who has been researching psychedelics since the 1960’s. He's the author of several books, including the Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. He has collected thousands of microdosing reports and even has his own microdosing protocol - called the Fadiman protocol. When we talk about standing on the shoulders of giants, James Fadiman is one of them.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host:  Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

Jim's microdosing website
Sofia University
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide
Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity (Ly et al, 2018)

In this week’s episode, we chat with Matt Zorn, an attorney at Yetter Coleman with expertise in DEA law, especially regarding psychedelics. Matt is currently challenging the DEA’s decision to schedule 5 new tryptamines, he recently argued Kathryn Tucker’s psilocybin “Right To Try” case against the DEA, and previously co-led Sue Sisley’s DEA case related to cannabis scheduling. Matt also writes the drug policy newsletter On Drugs.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In this week’s special episode, Matias chats with Dr. Rachel Yehuda and Zach Haigney at Soho House in New York City. The episode was recorded in front of a live audience. Dr. Yehuda has spent the last 30 years doing research on PTSD and trauma and is leading the MDMA-assisted therapy research at the US Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  She is the Director at the Mental Health Patient Care Center at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai Hospital, as well as Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Zach Haigney writes the Trip Report by Beckley Waves, a newsletter about the science, policy, and business of psychedelics.

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In Episode 18, we chat with Jonathan Sabbagh and Myriam Barthes, the co-founders of Journey Clinical, a platform that enables licensed therapists to offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical provides licensed therapists with an on-demand KAP-trained medical team, customized treatments for each client, and a portal to connect with other therapists and educational resources.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The journey from idea to 100+ therapist members
• How ketamine-assisted therapy works and the Journey Clinical's vision for the future
• Balancing growth with protecting the relationship between patient and therapist

Credits: 

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In today’s episode, we chat with Lucia Huang, the CEO and co-founder of Osmind, an electronic health record software system for treatment resistant mental health practices that is already in over 300 clinics. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Osmind makes data-driven decisions 
• Osmind’s quick growth in only 2 years
• What it will take for insurance to cover ketamine therapy, as well as other psychedelic therapies

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

In today’s episode, we chat with Tim Schlidt, a partner at Palo Santo. Palo Santo is a fund investing in psychedelic therapeutics. Palo Santo’s portfolio includes companies like Eleusis, Tactogen, and Journey Clinical.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Tim’s background in healthcare finance
• Investing in classic psychedelic compounds vs. 2nd generation compounds
• Hallmarks of a good first meeting with a prospective investment

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank

Today’s episode features Dillan Dinardo and Tom Ray, the co-founders of Mindstate Design Labs. Mindstate has a unique framework to design psychedelic compounds using what they call the “primer probe method.” This method involves combining a known psychedelic with a non-psychedelic compound. Mindstate just raised an $11.5M seed round.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Tom and Dillan’s experience in YCombinator and raising an $11.5M seed round
• Tom’s friendship with the late psychedelic chemist Alexander Shulgin
• Mindstate’s lead programs
• The role of mystical states in the healing process

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Theme music by Dorian Love

Today’s episode features Amy Emerson, the CEO of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), which is a fully owned subsidiary of MAPS, and its purpose is to commercialize MDMA-assisted therapy. We discuss the MAPS PBC and it’s business model for MDMA-assisted therapy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• MAPS’ protocol and strategy behind FDA clinical trial for PTSD
• Amy’s views on the state of the industry, patents, and how to prioritize accessibility
• The unique business model between MAPS and MAPS PBC
• Psychedelics for kids

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music: Focus Does the Girl by Muted Circus

In today’s episode, we discuss what it’s like being a psychologist who owns a psychedelic clinic. Genesee Herzberg is the co-founder of Sage Integrative Health, an integrative clinic in Berkeley, CA that offers ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP), psychotherapy, somatic therapy, and acupuncture. Genesee discusses her holistic approach to healing, and shares her experience bootstrapping her clinic and setting up a non-profit to make KAP more affordable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and the difference between high and low dose ketamine treatments
• What it takes to get a for-profit clinic off the ground while running a non-profit organization
• Sage Institute’s mission to make ketamine-assisted psychotherapy affordable for everyone
• Genesee’s long term goals for the future of psychedelic medicine

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Read the transcript here.

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music: Flocean by Zack Frank

In today’s episode, we explore the therapeutic application of DMT across a range of diseases and conditions including Alzheimer’s, stroke, and organ transplants. While much of the attention in psychedelic medicine has been on their ability to address neuropsychiatric indications, research suggests that psychedelics like DMT have a far wider therapeutic potential. The episode features three biotech companies developing DMT therapies:  Algernon, Psilera, and Pharmadrug.

In this episode, we discuss:

• DMT therapies for organ transplants, stroke patients and substance abuse disorders
• Research supporting NN-DMT’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and the receptors it targets
• Being a private company vs. public company in psychedelics

NN-DMT
5-MeO-DMT
Bioavailability
DMT transdermal patch
Sigma-1
Donepezil
Dr. Rick Strassman
Angiogenesis
Orphan Drug Designation

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Read the transcript here.

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music: Copley Beat by Blue Dot Sessions, Simplify by Little Glass Men, Pedalrider by Blue Dot Sessions, Running Waters by Jason Shaw, and Neon Drip by Blue Dot Sessions

Episode 10 features Lars Wilde, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Compass Pathways, a mental health company with an initial focus on psilocybin therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lars’ experience overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression with psilocybin
• The nuances of clinical trials and psilocybin dosing protocols
• Compass Pathways’ Intellectual Property strategy
• What additional indications and therapies Compass Pathways is interested in

Links to topics discussed in this episode:
Compass Pathways, Lars Wilde
COMP360
SSRI, SNRI
Christian Angermayer, Robin Carhart-Harris, Michael Pollan
Vivaneo
Quercis Pharma
TRD (Therapy-Resistant Depression)
Compass Phase 2B Trial
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Compass Pathways 2 US patents
Oregon Psilocybin Therapy Measure 109

Read the transcript here.
Watch episode 10 on YouTube.

Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Hosts: Matias Serebrinsky and Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw and Thea by Muted Circus

Today's episode features three experts, Josh Hardman, Michael Haichin, and Graham Pechenik as they analyze atai’s S-1 in advance of their IPO. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How atai went from idea to IPO in 3 years
• An overview of atai’s drug development programs and enabling technologies
• The platform’s strategy and risks

Links to topics in this episode:
Atai life sciences
Etifoxine
Esketamine & arketamine
Atai’s S-1
Psychedelic Pharmacist Association
Calyx Law
Psilocybin Alpha, Noetic Fund
kratom, Salvinorin A, BNC210, mitragynine
Mike Novogratz, Christian Angermayer, George Goldsmith, Ekaterina Malievskaia, Peter Thiel
PureTech Health, Akili Interactive Labs
BT’s DemeRx Episode
Viridia Life Sciences, EmpathBio, Kures, Recognify Life Sciences

Read the transcript here.
Watch episode 9 on YouTube.
Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Matias Serebrinsky
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme musi

Today's episode features Deborah Mash, founder and CEO of DemeRx, a clinical stage company developing ibogaine therapies to treat substance use disorders.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The science, experience and the safety behind Ibogaine’s “neurochemical reset”
• Navigating US drug regulatory system and securing Intellectual Property
• Deborah’s 30 journey through Amsterdam, Miami and the Caribbean aiming to get Ibogaine therapy approved
• Partnership with ATAI Life Sciences

Links to topics discussed in this episode:
Deborah Mash
DemeRx
Ibogaine
Noribogaine
Tabernanthe Iboga
Bwiti Religion
Howard Lotsof
Serotonergics
Lambarene - promoted as a mental and physical stimulant
Habenula
Addiction Expert Gabor Maté

Read the transcript here.
Watch episode 8 on YouTube.
Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music by Medita by Crowander, Two Feet by Muted Circus, and Rain On Me by JBlanked.

Today's episode features Zach Haigney, creator of The Trip Report, a newsletter about psychedelics, policy and business.

In 2019, Zach started writing The Trip Report and quickly grew his readership by analyzing psychedelic news headlines from every angle. He’s able to break through all the noise and report with a sense of fairness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Origin story of The Trip Report
• The complexities of clinical trials
• Diversity, inclusion and reciprocity in psychedelic companies

Links to topics discussed in this episode:
The Trip Report
Zach Haigney
Oregon Measure 109 - 2020
MAPS
COMPASS Pathways
Usona
Psilocybin Alpha
Bob Jesse - Council for Spiritual Practices
5-HT2A
Serotonin Syndrome
Northstar Pledge
Nagoya Protocol
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent

Read the transcript here.
Watch episode 7 on YouTube.
Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music by Sun Inside by Ketsa and Better Days Ahead by Ketsa

Today's episode features Danny Motyka, founder of Psygen, a Canadian manufacturer of psychedelics, like MDMA, LSD, DMT, and synthetic psilocybin.

Psygen makes pharmaceutical grade psychedelic medicines for clinical research and therapeutic applications. They have a license to be one of the first manufacturing facilities dedicated to the synthesis of psychedelic medicine. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Behind the scenes of Psygen’s manufacturing process
• Natural vs Synthetic psychedelics
• Navigating regulations for manufacturing Schedule 1 substances

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

GMP
Dr. Peter van der Heyden
COMP360
Entourage Effect
Health Canada
Nick Sand - Orange Sunshine
MDMA, LSD, 5-MeO-DMT, Ibogaine, Psilocybin
Entheon Biomedical
MAPS
2C-B

Read the transcript here.
Watch episode 6 on YouTube.
Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky
Host: Greg Kubin
Produced by Jonathan A. Davis & Zack Frank
Marketing by DaisyMae VanValkenburgh

Find us at businesstrip.fm
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Theme music by Dorian Love
Additional music by Crystals by Xylo-Ziko, Obscure Train by Revolution Void, Love Chances by Makaih Beats, and Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon